Teresa Valdez Hovland

 Teresa Valdez Hovland of Weiser, Idaho passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 at the age of 68 after 4 plus years with cancer. 

 Teresa was born in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 26, 1956.

 Teresa graduated from Kent Meridian High School in 1974. She was awarded DTM, Toastmasters’ International 2018.

 She was a homemaker, wife and mom and cared for her family. In 1988 she began her truck driving career, retiring in 2018 from Nichols Trucking Company. Beginning in shuttle busses, she has driven triple-trailer combinations plus a variety of heavy-duty trucking jobs from over-the-road to large construction site deliveries. Teresa navigated the transportation industry with skill, dedication, faithfulness while maintaining her signature kindness, grace and with her constant-companion of faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ. 

 She was actively involved in Church activities, led Bible studies and taught toddlers through adult Sunday School classes. She served in a variety of ministries highlighted by her past 4 years in bringing into our local communities Women’s Advocacy and Healing Ministries including Fearless for Women, chairing StoneCroft Ministry’s Treasure Valley Connection in the Ontario-Fruitland-Payette region, working with Hearts Being Healed National Ministries and leading Women’s Bible Studies associated and related to these all. A big fan of “The Chosen,” she also led special Bible studies based on that ongoing unique production based on the life and ministry of Jesus. 

 If Teresa could offer any guidance to us, it would be to seek our God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. A constant ambassador for Jesus, she had a pure, servant heart that allowed her to touch lives and share God’s Love unabashedly.

 She is preceded in death by her parents Rita and Robert Tuohy as well as her first marriage spouse, Randy Miller.

 Teresa is survived by her husband of 35 years Wayne Hovland, her sons Andrew (Drew) Miller and Michael Miller; her step-daughter Darlene Hovland, all three kids are Washington State residents; her sister Kelly with husband Barry Reimer of Lincoln, Mont.; her brothers Michael Tuohy of Kent, Wash. and Matt Tuohy who resides in Hawaii.

 Teresa’s passion for sharing her faith in Jesus Christ was a part of all she did. 

 Having a love of horses, she found young girls drawn to them as she had been. So in 1999, with Pheonix her Arabian/Paint she had a ministry of a series of “Barn Girls.” Like much of Teresa’s ministry, a fourth generation of Barn Girls is carrying forward today with one of her originals, Kirsten (a school teacher in the Tacoma region), coming alongside local young women and sharing her passion for horses and also sharing in their love for Teresa. 

 Teresa entered Toastmasters more than a dozen years ago to enhance her speaking skills and confidence to help her in her broadening public ministries. She obtained DTM status – Distinguished Toastmaster and continued sharing herself in teaching others in Toastmaster organizations where ever she resided. Notable even in Toastmasters, her faith was a part of her and many found blessings in her sharing in her whole being – a skilled speaker, engaging story-teller and always an ardent believer. Such was Teresa – wherever she went in her walk in this life.

 Husband Wayne would like to thank the incredible blessing in the loving caregiving by Horizon Hospice during Teresa’s final weeks. Her nurse Denice is truly an amazing God send. The entire support staff, pharmacy all-hours delivery as well as their ongoing support for Teresa’s family is truly amazing. A special thank you to MSTI Cancer Clinic Radiologist Doctor Sarah Bolender who provided targeted and special late-term care that protected Teresa from potential injury that occurring, would have made her final weeks unimaginable. With Dr. Bolender’s treatment Teresa’s vision returned and she was able to have her pain kept managed, remain comfortable and retained her presence of mind in her final weeks of life. Thusly Teresa was taken Home to be with our Lord in Peace. 

 Family and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Service at Weiser Christian Church on Saturday evening, Dec. 7, 2024 at 7 p.m. Meal and dessert reception following her service. Church address: 1299 East 2nd St., Weiser.